Friday lost and found: Jon Astley's 'Jane's Getting Serious'

Anybody who had MTV in 1987 remembers Jon Astley's Jane's Getting Serious. While the video was a hit, the song stalled on the charts only reaching No. 77 on the U.S. charts. The song was even catchy enough that it was featured on a popular Heinz ketchup commercial in 1987 that featured a pre-Friends Matt LeBlanc.

Jane's Getting Serious is off his Everybody Loves The Aviator (But The Crew) album and the video captures his wry English humor as Astley, dressed in an pilot's uniform, is stuck in the jungle with a loined-clothed Jane and dancing gorillas.

Before Jane's Getting Serious, Jon Astley made his name as a sound engineer and producer for artist like The Who, Eric Clapton and Corey Hart. He is also the ex-brother-in-law of Pete Townsend. Astley would release two solid albums in the ‘80s before going back behind the boards.

About this blog

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times correspondent Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to big hair.